10 Tips for Scooping Up Big Savings at BJ’s Wholesale Club

My relationship with BJ’s Wholesale Club goes back decades. I remember special moments shopping with my dad and loving how he’d always put those extra-large boxes of ice cream treats into the cart for us kids.

Little did I know all the ways my dad was scooping up big savings at BJ’s. Now that I’m a parent with a family to feed and care for, I can appreciate the savings I get as a “second-generation” BJ’s shopper. And there are more ways to save than just the bulk-buying aspect. Here are my top tips for saving at BJ’s.

1. SHOP THE COUPONS FIRST

I always wait for that thick coupon booklet Members receive in the mail. I browse the coupons, clip those that feature my favorite brands and products, and form my shopping list from there. This way, I know that right off the bat that I’m saving twice – buying in bulk and using a coupon.

2. DOUBLE DOWN

Get double the savings at BJ’s when you stack manufacturers’ coupons with BJ’s in-Club coupon savings. In fact, BJ’s is the only club that accepts all manufacturers’ coupons.

3. GET APP-Y

In addition to coupon savings, BJ’s is also listed on many popular coupon apps, like Ibotta. Install a few of your favorite coupon apps, and connect the dots between app rebates and paper coupons.

4. MAKE A MEAL PLAN

Now that you know what items are on sale with coupons, make a meal plan for the next few weeks. Because you’re buying in bulk, you’ll want a plan to use up the larger packages of fresh foods you buy. I like to make a one-week plan and then just repeat it the following week. Sometimes I make a double batch of a dinner and freeze it to take out a week later. BJ’s helps and makes this easy with their Meal Planner that allows you to pick recipes with common ingredients on Stocked.BJs.com.

5. HAVE A FLIGHT PLAN

Going to a warehouse store can be overwhelming at first. If you forget to pick something up, you end up crisscrossing the Club or missing a deal. So I like to shop along the same path every time. This tip helps me learn the Club layout and anticipate what I need in each aisle. I make my shopping list following this “flight plan” too, so I don’t forget any of the great savings.

6. GAS UP

Don’t forget to stop at the BJ’s Gas1® station and fill up your tank as part of your shopping routine. BJ’s gas prices are usually lower than the surrounding area stations. And if you’re a My BJ’s Perks® Mastercard1® Member, you get an additional 10¢ off/gal. at BJ’s Gas every day. It’s a great way to add onto your savings after you shop the Club.

7. COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES

BJ’s packages are so much bigger than most store packages. Generally, buying in bulk saves you money, but how do you know for sure you’re getting a bargain? Be sure you’re comparing correctly by always looking at the “unit price.” This is generally the price-per-pound, or price-per-hundred. BJ’s has even started to highlight some of the great savings with additional signs showing the per-pound and per-unit price so you can compare more easily. No matter the size of the package, as long as you’re always comparing by units or pounds, you can know if you’re getting a deal.

8. GET REWARDED

I know, in addition to bulk savings and coupon savings, there are more perks – My BJ’s Perks, that is! Sign up for the My BJ’s Perks® Mastercard® and get up to 5% cash back every time you use it to shop.

9. BUY STORE BRAND

I’ve personally tried so many Wellsley Farms® and Berkley Jensen® branded items – from dairy, meats and appetizers to paper goods, laundry detergent and pet food. Each one has been of high quality and usually beats name-brand everyday pricing.

10. BE INTENTIONAL

With any bargain shopping, you have to plan ahead and know when an impulse buy is a good buy. One of the things I love most is the treasure hunt of BJ’s. You just never know what you’ll find in their seasonal selection or apparel aisles at an amazing savings. You just might find a great deal on an item you’ve been actively monitoring pricing on for awhile. So go into the Club with your list in hand and your coupons clipped, and focus on picking up bargains intentionally.

Use some or all of these savings tips whenever you shop at BJ’s Wholesale Club. These strategies for scooping up great savings on your next trip make you well equipped to walk away with a cartload of bargains.

Julie Kieras is a writer and mom who loves to share natural living and parenting ideas and inspirations on her blog, HappyStrongHome.com. A former English teacher, Julie’s passion is for encouraging and inspiring other parents to cherish moments, love learning, and build strong families. She loves creating engaging hands-on play learning activities for her children. In her spare time, Julie loves a good cup of coffee and reading great books (preferably together!). With her husband and kids, she enjoys camping, taking day trips, playing board games, and having family read-alouds. Follow Julie’s adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

1Subject to credit approval. Cash back is in the form of electronic awards issued in $20 increments that are used in-Club at the register and expire 6 months from the date issued. Cash back can be requested in the form of a check prior to awards expiring by contacting Member Care at 800-BJs-CLUB. My BJ's Perks Program is provided by BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. and it's terms may change from time to time. Some exclusions may apply. Visit BJs.com/perksterms for Program Terms.

This credit card is issued by Comenity Capital Bank pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard and the Mastercard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.